Connector for wrist-watch bracelets and other linkages



July 15, 1947. VALCOURT 2,424,127

CONNECTOR FOR WRIST-WATCH BRACELETS AND OTHER LINKAGES Filed Sept. 15,1944 jhfieniar: Lizards ELL hour? Patented July 15, 1947 CONNECTOR FORWRIST-WATCH BRACE- LETS AND OTHER LINKAGES Louis E. Valcourt, EastProvidence, R. I., assignor to Kestenman' Bros. Mfg. 00., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application September 13, 1944, SerialNo. 553,899

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved connector or fastening device forattaching the ends of bracelets to wrist-watches or connecting linkages,cords or the like to other articles.

One object of the invention is to provide a connector at the end of abracelet or other linkage which is adapted to engage through a loop orbail on the watch-case or to a secondary connecting element carrying apin having its ends engageable with holes in the spaced lugs of aWatch-case.

Another object is to provide a connector of-the type specified which isadapted for secure attachment to the end of the bracelet or linkage andfor interchangeable connection with a bail on the watch-case or a loopon a secondary connecting element by simple and convenient adjustment.

Another object is to provide a device of the type specified comprisingtwo members, one of which is permanently fastened to the end link of thebracelet or linkage, and the other member constructed in the form of anopen ring releasably fastened to the first member and adapted to rotatethereon to engage it through a loop on the watch or other article to beconnected.

Another object is to provide a device of the type specified in which theopen ring may be fixedly secured to the permanent member on the end ofthe bracelet or linkage to prevent it from turning there-on or frombeing otherwise displaced to cause it to release its connection with thewatch or other article.

Another object is to provide a device of the type specified which is ofneat and ornamental appearance with its mechanical elements covered andconcealed from View at the front when the bracelet or linkage isattached to a watch or other article.

Another object is to provide a device of the type specified which may beconstructed from sheet-metal, stamped out and struck up to form toeconomize in its cost of manufacture.

Further obj cts of the invention are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of thedevice as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a watch with a bracelet attached thereto bymeans of the present improved connector;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged detail view showing one end of a chain orlinkage attached to the bail of a watch by means of the present connec-2 tor which is illustrated in plan view on its under or bottom side;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the connector ring as released androtated to position its opening for inserting it through or removing itfrom the bail of a watch;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a still further enlarged perspective View of the open ring ofthe connector; and

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a watch showing the ends of a bracelet attachedthereto by means of the present connector engaging through the loop on asecondary element pinned to the lugs 0n the sides of another type ofwatch-case.

Wrist-watches are provided with different types of attaching means atthe sides of their cases. Mens watches are usually provided with a pairof spaced lugs at each side of the case with the lugs drilled with holesfor receiving the spring-pressed points or tips of cross-pins held intubular fittings at the ends of the bracelet. Ladies watches, however,usually have a different form of attaching means such as a loop at eachend of the watch-case for engagement there-- through of a link or ringon the end of the bracelet. The present improved connector is adapted.

for use with either type of attaching means on the watch-case, that is,it may be engaged with a loop on the watch or, in other cases, it may beengaged through a loop on a secondary or auxiliary element carrying across-pin with spring points insertable in the holes in the spaced lugson the watch-case.

In general, the present improved connector comprises a main member 2adapted for permanent connection to the end-link of a chain or braceletand an open ring-shaped member 3 adapted to be secured in fixed positionon the main member 2 or to be released from its holding means to permitit to be turned for inserting it through a loop on the watch-case or aloop on the secondary attaching element carrying the cross-pin. Themember 2 is preferably of substantially V-outline or fan-shape in planview and provided at one end with a tongue 4 adapted to loop around theend bar 5 of the end link 6 of the bracelet W. As shown in Figs. 3 and4, the member 2 may be constructed of sheet-metal stamped out and formedin dies and preferably it is ornamented by embossing its upper face inany suitable design, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. The member 3 ispreferably of circular shape,

that is, constructed as a ring with an opening in its circumference andprovided with a pair of fingers ll projecting substantially radiallyoutward from the sides of its opening as shown most clearly in Fig. '7.The member 3 may be formed of wire or constructed from sheet-metalstruck up in dies and preferably its main ring-portion has a beveled orrounded contour on its upper surface. The fingers H, however, may be ofgenerally square cross-section and constructed integral with the ring.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 and the sectional views, Figs. and 6, themember 2 is provided with relatively narrow, flat tabs l2 formed byprojecting strips of the metal bent downwardly from its top portion IS.The tabs [2 are connected by a circular flange l4 bent down from theedge of the top portion I3 of the member 2 at its wider end and shapedto a contour corresponding to that of the inner curve of the ring-member3. The tabs I2 are adapted to be inserted through the interior of thering-member 3 and bent or folded therearound in the manner shown in Fig.6. To fixedly secure the ring 3 to the member 2 the tabs l2 are bent orfolded around the circular portion of the ring-member 3, as shown inFig. 3, being so located that their edges will be in position to engagewith the sides of the fingers H to prevent the ring 3 from turning onthe member 2.

In use, the present improved connector is applied to each end of alinkage or bracelet ID by bending its tongue 4 around the end bar 5 ofthe terminal link 6 and closing it tightly thereagainst as shown in Fig.2. To attach the end of the bracelet to the loop 8 on the side of awatch-case 9, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ring-member 3 is firstrotated into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 to open it. This rotarymovement of the ring may be accomplished when one of the tabs l2 on themember 2 is released, that is, unfolded as illustrated in Fig. 5, andthe connector is usually furnished in this condition on the bracelet.The ring-member 3 will still be maintained in engagement with the member2 by means of the opposite tab I2 which remains folded around the ringso that the latter is held in convenient po-' sition for hooking itthrough the loop 8 on the watch-case 9 as shown in Fig. 4. After theringmember 3 has thus been connected to the loop 8 on the watch-case 9,it is rotated back to first position as shown in Fig. 3 and the tab 12bent around the ring. When turned to this position and fastened asexplained above, the ring-member 3 is securely held against the mainmember 2 and prevented from turning thereon by the engagement of itsfingers II with the edges of the bent tabs It. It will be noted byreference to Fig. 3 that the fingers l I are held in close abuttingrelation to the under side of the member 2 so that they serve to preventthe ring-member 3 from rocking or canting thereon to thereby render thejoinder between the two members rigid and secure.

When it is desired to attach a braceletto a watch of the typeillustrated in Fig. 8, that is, one

having lugs on the sides of its case, the attachment is made as nextexplained. The watch-case I9 is usually provided 'with relativelynarrow,spaced lugs 20 drilled with small holes 2|. A usual type of connectingdevice for this style of watch consists in a tubular member 22, see Fig.8, enclosing a cross-pin 23 formed with springpressed projecting pointsor tip 24. At the center of the tubular member 22 is a loop 25 forconnection with the bracelet. The spring tips 24 are inserted in theholes 2| of the lugs 20 to attach the member 22 to the watch-case andwith the use of this auxiliary fitting the present connector may beattached thereto by hooking it through the loop 25 after its ring-member3 has been rotated on the member 2 to the position shown at the right inFig. 8. The ring-member 3 is then turned back to first position andfixedl secured to the member 2 by means of the tabs l2 shown in Figs. 3and 4 and previously described. It will thus be seen that the presentimproved connector is adapted for attachment to different styles ofwatch-cases having different types of connecting means so that it is ofmore or less general application.

Wrist-watch bracelets are generally sold complete with attaching devicesor connectors at their ends and the present improved connector isfurnished in form for use with different types of watch-cases. Thebracelet may be supplied to the jeweler or other retail outlet with thepresent improved connector attached to its ends and having itring-member 3 connected to the auxiliary attaching device 22 in the formas shown at the left in Fig. 8. In this form it is adapted forattachment to wrist-watches having lugs at the sides of the case, butwhen the bracelet is sold for use with a ladies watch having loops onits sides the jeweler or salesman may readily adapt it for such aconnection. To prepare it for this latter use it is only necessary todisconnect the auxiliary member 22 from the ring-member 3 and this maybedone by simply opening or bending back one of the tabs IE on the underside of the member 2. to permit the ring-member 3 to be turned to openposition as shown at the right in Fig. 8. The ring-member 3 is then inopen position for disengaging it from the auxiliary device 22 andengagin it through the loop 8 on the side of a ladies watch-case 9 suchas shown in Figs. 1 and 2; after which the ring-member is rotated backinto the position shown in Fig. 3 and the tab l2 bent to secure itfixedly to the member 2.

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the presentimproved connector for wrist-watch bracelets, linkages, cord and otherlike articles provides an especially simple yet efiicient device forattachin bracelets or other linkages, cords and the like to differenttypes of watch-cases and other articles. The present improved connectoris of graceful shape and ornamental appearance to embellish the chain orlinkage with which it is used While also being economical in cost ofmanufacture. The device also provides a secure attachment or connectionbetween the bracelet and Watch-case, practically proof againstaccidental disconnection and strong and sturdy to resist unusual strainsand stresses.

While the device is herein shown and described as embodied in a.Preferred form of'construction,

, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in thestructure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. Therefore. without limiting myself in thisrespect, I claim:

and provided with angularly-related relatively narrow bendable tabsfolded rearwardly from its forward side, and an open ring-shaped memberprovided with rectangular fingers projecting substantially radially fromthe sides of its opening, said ring-member being adapted to underlie thebottom of the main member with one of the tabs thereof bent down aroundits circular portion whereby said ring-member may be rotated about itsown axis with respect to the main member to expose its opening forconnecting it to the ball of a watch or other part and then rotated inthe opposite direction to position both of its fingers in underlyingrelation to the main member to adapt the unbent tab to be bent downaround its circular portion so that both tabs will enclose said circularportion of the ring-member with their edges abutting the sides of itfingers to secure it against turning on the main member and prevent itfrom releasing the watch bail or other part.

2. A connector for wrist-Watch bracelets, linkages, cords and the likecomprising a substantially flat main member embodying means forpermanently attaching it to the end of the bracelet or the like andformed with a downwardly-projecting circular flange bordering itsforward edge with narrow tabs folded rearwardly from said flange,

and an open ring-shaped member having fingers projecting substantiallyradially from the sides of its opening, said ring-shaped member beingadapted to underlie the main member with its fingers projectingrearwardly thereon and with the inner periphery of the rin abutting thecircular flange on said main member with the tabs overlying the circularportion of the ring-member and bent downwardly therearound with theiredges in engagement with the fingers thereof to secure the ring-memberto the main member and hold it from turning with respect thereto.

LOUIS E. VALCOURT.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bender Dec, 23, 1941Number

